Journal of APPLIED BIOMEDICINE (2024)

During the past years, the increase in scientific knowledge and the massive data production have caused an exponential growth in databases and repositories. Biomedical domain represents one of the rich data domains. An extensive amount of biomedical data is currently available, ranging from details of clinical symptoms to various types of biochemical data and outputs of imaging devices. Manually extracting biomedical patterns from data and transforming them into machine-understandable knowledge is a difficult task because biomedical domain comprises huge, dynamic, and complicated knowledge. Data mining is capable of improving the quality of extracting biomedical patterns.
In this research, an overview of the applications of data mining on the management of diseases is presented. The main focus is to investigate machine learning techniques (MLT) which are widely used to predict, prognose and treat important frequent diseases such as cancers, hepatitis and heart diseases. The techniques namely Artificial Neural Network, K-Nearest Neighbour, Decision Tree, and Associative Classification are illustrated and analyzed. This survey provides a general analysis of the current status of management of diseases using MLT. The achieved accuracy of the various applications ranged from 70% to 100% according to the disease, the solved problem, and the used data and technique.

Global obesity rates are of epidemic proportion. With limited treatments available there is a large demand for therapeutic alternatives. Polyphenols derived from coloured rice varieties may serve as a potential functional food alternative in combating obesity and obesity-related diseases. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of polyphenols found in coloured rice varieties could have the ability to neutralize oxidative stress and modulate inflammatory responses in obese populations. This review discusses polyphenols derived from rice, the oxidative stress and inflammatory pathways involved in obesity pathogenesis, bioavailability of polyphenols and the therapeutic potential of polyphenols on transcriptional and molecular pathways related to obesity and obesity-related diseases.

The present study was designed to examine effects of Sinomenine (SM) on glioma cells growth in vivo and in vitro. Cells growth and apoptosis were detected by MTT assay, TUNEL assay and flow cytometric analysis. In the study, SM treatment led to growth inhibition on a series of glioma cell lines, including U87, U373, U251, Hs683 and T98G. SM prevented U87 growth in the nude mice as well. Inhibitory effects of SM on U87 cells proliferation in vitro and in vivo were more effective than that of temozolomide (TMZ), and SM has synergistic effects with TMZ in the glioma therapy. SM induced apoptotic death in U87 cells via activation of caspase-3, caspase-8 and caspase-9, and down-regulation of HIAP, Bcl-2 and survivin. Moreover, we observed SM decreased the expression of phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) both in vivo and in vitro. Interestingly, using a specific activator of STAT3, we demonstrated overexpression of p-STAT3 impaired, SM mediated growth inhibition and apoptosis induction in the U87 cells. In summary, our results indicate SM induced growth suppression of human glioma cells through inhibiting phosphorylation of STAT3.

There is a renewed interest in metabolism alterations and its impact on cancer development and progression. The metabolism of cancer cells is reprogrammed in order to support their rapid proliferation. Elevated fatty acid synthesis is one of the most important aberrations in cancer cell metabolism, and is required both for carcinogenesis and cancer cell survival. We have previously shown that cancer cells explore metabolic pathways especially autophagy and particularly enhanced glycolysis and suppressed oxidative phosphorylation to promote treatment resistance. To support cell proliferation in cancer, lipid metabolism and biosynthetic activities is required and often up-regulated. Here we bring lipid metabolic pathways into focus and summarized details that suggest a new perspective for improving chemotherapeutic responses in cancer treatment, and indicate the need to design more inclusive molecular targeting for a better treatment response.

Pseuduvaria macrophylla (Family: Annonaceae) is commonly used as medicinal plant in Malaysia. A recent study with the Pseuduvaria species showed antioxidant and antidiabetic effects. This study aimed to ascertain antidiabetic potential of methanolic extract of Pseuduvaria macrophylla bark (PM) using streptozotocin-nicotinamide induced diabetic rat models. Various phytochemical and biochemical properties of the plant have been evaluated. The results showed that the extract has potentially normalized the elevated blood glucose levels by upregulating the insulin and C-peptide levels and alleviated oxidative stress by improving glutathione (GSH) and reducing lipid peroxidation (LPO) in the diabetic rats. In addition, PM has drastically downregulated the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1). Histopathological examination of the pancreas in PM treated diabetic rats showed significant recovery of the pancreatic structural degeneration and thus reflected the protective role of PM against peroxidation damage by a rise in insulin level as evidenced by the immunohistochemistry study. The improved expressions of GLUT-1, GLUT-2 and GLUT-4 further confirmed the restoration of β-cell mass by PM. Interestingly, the findings demonstrated the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antihyperglycemic potential of PM which may provide future lead for the management of type-2 diabetes.

Identification of risk factors for transient ischemic attack (TIA) is crucial for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, identifying risk factors in young patients with low-risk AF is difficult, because the incidence of TIA in such patients is very low, which would result in traditional multiple logistic regression not being able to successfully identify the risk factors in such patients. Therefore, a novel algorithm for identifying risk factors for TIA is necessary. We thus propose a novel algorithm, which combines multiple correspondence analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis and uses the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database, a population-based database, to determine risk factors in these patients. The results of this study can help clinicians or patients with AF in preventing TIA or stroke events as early as possible.

Introduction
The development of inertial sensors in motion capture systems enables precise measurement of motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD). The type of physical activities performed by the PD participants is an important factor to compute objective scores for specific motor symptoms of the disease. The goal of this study is to propose an approach to automatically detect the physical activities over a period time and segment the time stamps for such detected activities.
Methods
A wearable motion capture sensor system using inertial measurement units (IMUs) was used for data collection. Data from the sensors attached to the shoulders, elbows, and wrists were utilized for detecting and segmenting the activities. An unsupervised machine learning algorithm was employed to extract suitable features from the appropriate sensors and classify the data points to the corresponding activity group.
Results
The performance of the proposed technique was evaluated with respect to the manually labeled and segmented activities. The experimental results reveal that the proposed auto detection technique - by obtaining high average scores of accuracy (96%), precision (96%), and recall (98%) - is able to effectively detect the activities during the sitting task and segment them to the proper time stamps.

Purpose
Investigation of the effect of exercise and zinc (Zn) supplementation on trace element status in rats.
Methods
24 male Wistar were divided into four groups: control, exercised, Zn-supplemented (15 mg/kg weight Zn asparaginate), exercised Zn-supplemented. Zn was supplemented as Zn asparaginate. Serum lactate and creatinine levels, and creatine kinase activity were assessed. Tissue trace elements were estimated using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.
Results
Exercise significantly increased lactate, and creatinine levels. Exercise significantly decreased muscle, kidney, and hair Zn; liver, muscle and serum Co; serum Fe; myocardial and hair Cu; liver, heart, skeletal muscle and kidney Se levels. Oppositely, exercise results in elevation of liver Zn; heart and skeletal muscle, kidney and hair Fe; kidney Cu; liver and hair Mn; serum and hair Se content. Zn supplementation reduced exercise-induced increase in lactate and creatinine levels, and elevated liver, kidney, heart, and hair Zn content in exercised rats. Supplementation with Zn reversed exercise-induced decrease in Co levels and increased Fe and Se stores in animals with high physical activity.
Conclusions
Beneficial effect of zinc supplementation in exercised organism may be associated not only with modulation of zinc status but regulation of other essential trace elements status and their biological effects.

Background
Fucosylated glycotopes of milk immunoglobulin G (IgG) are ligands in reactions of biological recognition protecting newborns against infection and ensuring proper development.
Materials and methods
Relative amounts of IgG fucosyl-glycovariants in milk of mothers giving birth to term and premature newborns (term and preterm milk groups) were analysed by lectin-IgG-ELISA using α1,2-, α1,3-, and α1,6-fucose specific biotinylated Ulex europaeus (UEA), Tetragonolobus purpureus (LTA), and Lens culinaris (LCA) lectins, respectively.
Results
The term and preterm milk IgG glycovariants were highly reactive with UEA, LTA, and LCA, whereas maternal plasma IgG poorly or at all. During milk maturation the IgG of very preterm and preterm milk compared to term milk differed by lower relative amounts of UEA-, higher of LTA-, and nearly stable expression of LCA-reactive glycotopes. Moreover, lower α1,2- and higher α1,3- relative amounts of lectin-dependent milk IgG-fucosylated glycovariants were found to be associated with an infectious disease of lactating mothers.
Conclusion
The highly fucosylated glycovariants of human IgG given with mothers' milk to immunologically immature newborn seem to be bifunctional molecules with potential therapeutic properties. The analysis of fucosylation status of milk IgG by simple lectin-IgG-ELISA may be helpful to control the immunological quality of milk for milk banking.

Since last decade, biogenic synthesis of metal or metal-oxide nanoparticles is emerging as an alternative method, which is environment friendly, simple and safe to use. In this article, fruit waste (peel) extract (FWE) of three citrus fruits viz. Citrus limon, Citrus sinensis, and Citrus limetta were used as bio-reductant for green and sustainable synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). As-synthesised AgNPs were characterized by using UV-vis spectroscopy, Dynamic light scattering, and High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy. TEM studies revealed 9-46 nm size range of synthesized AgNPs. The antimicrobial and antioxidant activities were also studied by using Agar well diffusion method and DPPH Assay, respectively. Nanoparticles showed good antimicrobial activity against both Gram positive (S. aureus) and Gram negative (E. coli) bacteria. Further, bioactivity assays revealed selective cytotoxicity (anticancer) of the nanoparticles against human lung cancer cell line A549. The nanoparticles are able to induce cancer cell specific apoptosis at G0/G1 phase of cell cycle. The results showed potential mechanism of action of nanoparticles via augmentation of antioxidant system in cancer cells. Over all, this study show multifaceted potential bioactivities of nanoparticles generated from fruit waste.

Physical activity has been correlated with transient immune impairment. However, such activities lead to improvement in immunity rather than dysfunction. The major benefit of regular exercise is the reduction of low-grade inflammation which consequently prevents or attenuates metabolic diseases, such as atherosclerosis and type 2 diabetes, neurodegenerative disorders, cancer or even depression. As a major factor responsible for general improvements in the immune system, scientists have examined epigenetics. Epigenetic mechanisms include cytosine methylation, micro-RNA expression and post-transcriptional modifications of histones, which regulate tissue-specific gene expression in response to environmental stimulation. This review will summarize the recent data regarding the impact of exercise and the role of epigenetic mechanisms on gene expression changes in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells (PBMCs).

This study aimed to investigate the effect of stress during spermatogenesis and oogenesis on reproductive performance in adult rats and sex ratio in offspring. The rats were subjected to predatory stress (exposed to a cat) twice a day for 50 (male) and 15 (female) consecutive days. At the end of the stress procedure, a number of control and stressed rats were considered to examine reproductive parameters and the rest was coupled as follows: both male and female control, male stressed/female control, male control/female stressed, and both male and female stressed. After parturition, the pups were counted, weighed, and gendered. Stress significantly increased the number of female pups in each litter (P= 0.034). In parents, stress reduced sperm quality (mobility, number, and morphology), testicular parameters (SI, STET, sloughing, and detachment), and thickness of vagin*l epithelium in all phases of the estrous cycle. Serum testosterone and 17-B estradiol levels decreased significantly in stressed parents. These results emphasize the suppressive influence of stress during spermatogenesis and oogenesis on the performance of the organs of the reproductive system in parents and its consequence on sex ratio in offspring.

The aim of this study was to identify electro-acupuncture points in the dog and to evaluate diagnostic aspects of the application of electro-acupuncture in veterinary medicine. For this purpose, we used four crossbred dogs affected by different diseases and four healthy dogs. In all animals, the conductance was measured by using electro-acupuncture according to Voll, "EAV" GOLD. Measurement carried out in the four ill dogs showed conductance values higher (70 SU) or lower (30-40 SU) than that observed in healthy dogs (45-60 SU). Our results showed that the measurement of conductance in the acupoint along the Bladder meridian might be considered as a useful technique for the diagnosis of some diseases in dogs, in association with good clinical practice.

Biogenic metal nanoparticles owing to elimination of hazardous chemicals are beneficial for human healthy and biomedical applications. Considerable properties of these particles have motivated researchers to develop of the biosynthesized nanomaterials. In this study, the gold nanoparticles using Dracocephalum kotschyi leaf extract (d-GNPs) were synthesized and characterized by TEM-SEAD, SEM-EDAX, XRD, Zeta potential, DLS, and FT-IR analysis. TEM photograph showed spherical morphologies with an average size of 11 nm. SEAD pattern authorized fcc structure of these particles. The average zeta value of -29.3 mV revealed the surface charge of green synthesized GNPs. We studied the influence of different parameters such as reaction temperature, contact time, and pH on the synthesis of d-GNPs by UV-vis spectroscopy. Moreover, the obtained nanoparticles were evaluated regarding their biological activity (anti-cholinesterase and anticancer), as well as their influence on both the Gram classes of bacteria. The AuNPs showed an excellent inhibitory efficacy against AChE and BChE. Biological results exhibited that these particles displayed a dose-dependent cytotoxicity with IC₅₀: 196.32 and 152.16 μg/ml against K562 and HeLa cell lines as well. These metal nanoparticles were found to show no activity toward tested bacteria.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate neutrophil and monocyte cell population data as novel markers of low cobalamin/folate concentrations and influence of renal function on their usefulness. The study included 284 patients older than 60 years or with dyspepsia symptoms with mean corpuscular volume 80-100 fL and C-reactive protein ≤ 50 mg/l. Subjects were divided according to renal function and further classified based on cobalamin and folate levels. Neutrophil and monocyte volume (NeV, MoV), conductivity (NeC, MoC), light scatter (NeS, MoS) and standard deviations (NeV-SD, MoV-SD, NeC-SD, MoC-SD, NeS-SD, MoS-SD), obtained by Coulter LH750^® Hematology Analyzer (Beckman Coulter, USA), were evaluated along with white blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, red cell distribution width and hom*ocysteine relative to renal function and cobalamin/folate status. Neutrophil conductivity standard deviation (NeC-SD) had the largest magnitude of the difference between patients with low and normal vitamin levels, was the strongest predictor of low cobalamin/folate concentrations and had the largest area under the curve in detection of vitamin deficiency. Patients with different renal function status and the same cobalamin/folate status did not differ in NeC-SD. In this selected group of patients, NeC-SD was marker of low cobalamin and folate levels regardless of the renal function.

Candida, a commensal and opportunistic fungal pathogen has been typically known for its biofilm forming ability and device-associated hospital acquired infections in human. The study aimed at exploring the in vitro anti-biofilm and anti-metabolic activity of AgNPs against C. albicans (n = 2),C. tropicalis (n = 2) and C. parapsilosis (n = 2) isolated from urine samples. Broth dilution method revealed greater than 50% inhibition at 100 ppm against Ag NPs in 24 h. An overall reduction of 55-86% in biomass (crystal violet staining assay) and 20-73% in metabolic activity (XTT assay) was observed in 24 h old biofilms. However, C. albicans proved to be more susceptible to AgNPs compared to C. tropicalis and C. parapsilosis. Scanning Electron Microscopy revealed patchy growth and deterrence in biofilm biomass when Ag NPs were coated on urinary catheter. Furthermore, viable cell counts of Candida were significantly reduced on AgNPs coated catheter compared to control.

The current study explored the in vitro anticancer properties of Mesua ferrea stem bark (SB) extract towards human colon carcinoma HCT116 cells. SB was successively extracted with different solvents using soxhlet apparatus. MTT assay was employed to test toxicity against different cancer and normal cell lines. Active extract (n-Hexane) was fractionated by column chromatography (CC) to get the most active fraction (F-3). Series of in vitro assays were employed to characterize cytotoxic nature of F-3. Antioxidant properties of F-3 were assessed using DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays followed by GC-MS analysis. Intracellular ROS levels were measured by DCFH-DA fluorescent assay. Finally, cell signalling pathways and their downstream proteins targeted by F-3 were studied using 10-cancer pathway and human apoptosis protein profilers and in silico docking studies. n-Hexane extract and its fraction (F-3) showed potent anti-proliferative effect against HCT 116. Programmed cell death (PCD) studies showed that F-3 modulated the expression of multiple proteins in HCT 116. F-3 showed weak antioxidant activity in all the models, while significant increase in ROS was observed in HCT 116. GC-MS analysis revealed that F-3 was majorly comprised of terpenes. Data of pathway profiler and in silico studies revealed that F-3 down-regulated the expression of NF-κB and HIF-1α pathways. Overall these results demonstrate that anticancer effects of M. ferrea stem bark towards human colon carcinoma are mainly due to its terpenes contents.

Bone mineral nanoparticles, residing between collagenous fibres, contain a crystalline apatite core (CAC) covered by an amorphous hydrated surface layer (AHSL). The main objectives of this work were to characterize the nanoparticles of human bone mineral and their discrete CAC and AHSL regions and relate this information to bone diseases. This pilot study involved 18 postmenopausal women suffering from osteoarthritis together with osteoporosis or osteopenia. Trabecular tissue specimens were acquired from the femoral intertrochanteric region during total hip arthroplasty. The specimens of whole bone were examined by ³¹P solid-state NMR (ssNMR) to measure the concentration ratio of phosphorus in the AHSL and CAC locations, together with their ³¹P linewidths and spin-lattice relaxation times. It was found that the AHSL region of the studied specimens contained 13-24% apatite phosphorus. The magnitude, hydration and structural order of AHSL and CAC were dependent on the progress of the pertinent diseases. Thus, the ³¹P ssNMR spectroscopy can be used ex vivo to selectively analyse the discrete nanoapatite environments in whole bone specimens and possibly assist in postoperative medical diagnostics.

The epidermis is the external layer of the skin and is composed mainly of keratinocytes. Therefore, keratinocytes play an indispensable role as inherent constituents of the skin barrier in physical defenses against environmental threats. Keratinocytes also exert an active protective role against invasion by pathogens. This competency is of particular importance when physical defenses fail as a consequence of skin injury. During the inflammatory phase of healing, keratinocytes act as immuno-modulators, managing inflammation via a rigorously coordinated network of inflammatory cascades, triggered by keratinocyte-receptor communication with the surroundings in a paracrine and autocrine manner. This review summarizes current understandings of the coordinated inflammatory network and focuses on recent progress regarding the role of keratinocytes in early phases of skin wound healing.

A novel and facile in vitro cell sensing system has been developed with one-step electropolymerization of the conducting polypyrrole(PPy) polymer using RGD peptide as the sole dopant on an indium tin oxide (ITO) surface. The resulted RGD peptide-doped polypyrrole (PPy/RGD) composite film had a robust surface, in which PPy provided a biocompatible matrix for cell growth and a conducting interface for electrical detection, while the RGD peptide entrapped in the PPy matrix conferred the desired biomimetic properties. Using the human lung cancer cell A549 as a model, this system can be used to monitor cell behaviors of proliferation and cytotoxicity.

There is a lack of data on the state of iodine reserves and the possible consequences of iodine deficits in diabetic patients. The main aims of this study were to: a) obtain information about iodine saturation in patients with type 1 diabetes; b) determine to what extent this saturation differs from the non-diabetic population; and c) determine whether iodine levels are related to several clinical and laboratory parameters characteristic of diabetic syndrome, including thyroid status.
Subjects and methods: A total of 54 males and 51 females treated for type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) were included in this cross-sectional study. In addition to iodine saturation determined as the concentration of iodine in the first urine sample of the day, we measured clinical, anthropometric, and biochemical parameters in relation to DM1.
Results: Measured iodine levels were: median 152 μg/l, first quartile 117 μg/l, and third quartile 219 μg/l. More than 50% of iodine levels varied within the optimal saturation range of 100-200 μg/l, while about 14% showed incomplete saturation (200 μg/l).
Multi-dimensional regression showed significant positive relationships; (an OPLS model explaining 9% of the variability) between ioduria and male sex, body weight and height, and serum creatinine levels, which to date have not yet been published. Relationships to the other analyzed parameters (glycated hemoglobin, insulin dose, DM duration, body mass index, microalbuminuria, glomerular filtration rate, thyroid function and volume, thyroid autoimmune markers) were not significant.
Conclusions: Iodine saturation levels in our study group were within the ICCIDD (WHO) recommendations for optimal/good saturation for the non-diabetic population, and patients with diabetic syndrome did not differ with respect to the chosen normal ioduria concentrations, i.e. 100 or 150 μg/l. The question remains, however, whether past attempts to deal with iodine deficits in the Czech Republic are responsible for this satisfactory iodine status of the type 1 diabetic population, or if there are other factors involved.

This study investigated the effect of hormonal changes on sem*n quality, chromatin status, and assisted reproductive outcomes (intracytoplasmic sperm injection), among infertile men. In this research, 219 infertile men undergoing assisted reproductive treatment were evaluated with reproductive hormone levels (including follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone and testosterone), sem*n parameters, and sperm chromatin integrity and condensation, between 2012 and 2014. Finally, the assisted reproductive outcomes in these infertile men were studied. The low rate of total sperm count, motility and morphology, fertilization and the high percentage of DNA damage, the poor zygote (Z4 grade) and embryo quality (grade D), and spontaneous miscarriage was recorded in men with high levels of follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone. In conclusion, the changes in the follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone by changes in the sperm quality, and DNA damage may have the effects on assisted reproductive outcomes (e.g., low fertilization, poor zygote and embryo quality, and high miscarriage).

Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) represent a key threat for millions of humans and animals worldwide, since they act as vectors for devastating parasites and pathogens. Eco-friendly control tools are a priority. Plant-mediated biosynthesis of nanoparticles is rapid and cost-effective. Here we biosynthesized poly-dispersed silver nanocrystals (AgNPs) using a cheap aqueous leaf extract of Adiantum raddianum. AgNPs were characterized by UV-vis spectrophotometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDX) and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD). The acute toxicity of A. raddianum extract and biosynthesized AgNPs was evaluated against larvae of the malaria vector Anopheles stephensi, the dengue vector Aedes aegypti and the filariasis vector Culex quinquefasciatus. Compared to the leaf aqueous extract, AgNPs showed higher toxicity against An. stephensi, Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus with LC₅₀ values of 10.33, 11.23 and 12.19 μg/ml, respectively. Biosynthesized AgNPs were found safer to non-target organisms Diplonychus indicus, Anisops bouvieri and Gambusia affinis, with respective LC₅₀ values ranging from 517.86 to 635.98 μg/ml. Overall, this study firstly shed light on the potential of A. raddianum as a potential bio-resource for rapid, cheap and effective nanosynthesis of novel mosquitocides.

This study investigated the FSH influence on maturation rates of oocytes in vitro maturation (IVM), and expression levels of the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) and gonadotropin releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR) of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) response to FSH treatment. 1686 COCs were harvested from 1063 ovaries of sheep. COCs were cultured 26 h at 38.5 °C and 5.0% CO₂ in IVM media supplemented with 0, 5, 10, 20 and 30 IU/ml FSH. They were allocated in to FSH-1 (basal line), FSH-2, FSH-3, FSH-4 and FSH-5 groups. The apoptosis of COCs was assessed by Tunel assay. Expression levels of mRNA and protein for FSHR, LHR and GnRHR in sheep COCs were detected using real time RT-PCR and Western blotting respectively. The results showed that the maturation rates of oocytes were improved gradually when FSH supplement increased from 0 to 10 μg/ml. FSH-3 group showed the highest maturation rate. Apoptosis rates of FSH-treated groups were less than that of FSH-1 group with a minimum of FSH-3 group. Expression levels of FSHR and LHR mRNAs in FSH-3 and FSH-4 were significantly higher than in FSH-1. Expression level of GnRHR mRNA in FSH-3 was higher than in FSH-1 (P < 0.05). Expression levels of FSHR proteins in FSH-3 and FSH-4 groups were higher than that of FSH-1 group. Expression levels of GnRHR proteins increased gradually with a maximal increment of FSH-5. Maturation rates of COCs had significant positive correlations with mRNA and protein levels of FSHR, LHR and GnRHR. In conclusion, FSH could accelerate the maturation rate of sheep oocytes and reduce their apoptosis rate, also increase the expression levels of FSHR, LHR and GnRHR mRNAs, and strengthen expressions of FSHR and GnRHR proteins. 10 IU/ml FSH additions were the optimal dose for IVM of sheep oocytes.

Objective
The aim of this study was to determine the effects of Shen-Fu injection treatment on skin flap survival in an experimental random pattern skin flap model in rats.
Materials and methods
Ninety male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned to the SFI-treated groups and normal saline-treated (control) group. SFI (10 or 20 ml/kg) or normal saline (10 ml/kg) were administered intraperitoneally once daily. On postoperative day 2, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and IL-6 were evaluated. Besides, flap survival rate, tissue edema, mean vessel densities, number of neutrophil, flap angiography and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression were examined on day 7.
Results
Compared with the control group, the mean survival area in SFI groups were significantly larger showing a possible dose-dependent effect of SFI. SOD activity was increased significantly, as well as the VEGF expression. MDA level, in the test group, however, was decreased. The hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) stained slices revealed that SFI had the angiogenesis promotion effect, meantime inflammation was clearly inhibited in the SFI groups.
Conclusion
This study showed that intraperitoneally administered SFI significantly improved random skin flap survival in rats.

Prediction of survival expectancy after surgery is so important. Soft computing approaches using training data are good approximations to model the different systems.
We present many solutions to predict 1-year the post-operative survival expectancy in thoracic lung cancer surgery base on artificial intelligence. We implement multi-layer architecture of SUB- Adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system (MLA-ANFIS) approach with various combinations of multiple input features, neural networks, regression and ELM (extreme learning machine) based on the used thoracic surgery data set with sixteen input features. Our results contribute to the ELM (wave kernel) based on 16 features is more accurate than different proposed methods for predict the post-operative survival expectancy in thoracic lung cancer surgery purpose.

The reactivating and therapeutic efficacy of two newly developed oximes (K305, K307) was compared with the oxime K203 and trimedoxime using in vivo methods The study determining percentage of reactivation of tabun-inhibited acetylcholinesterase in the peripheral as well as central nervous system (diaphragm, brain) in tabun-poisoned rats showed that the reactivating efficacy of both newly developed oximes is lower compared to the reactivating efficacy of the oxime K203 and trimedoxime. The therapeutic efficacy of all oximes studied roughly corresponds to their reactivating efficacy. While the ability of the oxime K305 to reduce acute toxicity of tabun in mice is approaching to the therapeutic efficacy of trimedoxime, the ability of another novel bispyridinium oxime K307 to reduce acute toxicity of tabun is significantly lower compared to trimedoxime and the oxime K203. Thus, the reactivating and therapeutic efficacy of both examined newly developed oximes does not prevail the effectiveness of the oxime K203 and trimedoxime and, therefore, they are not suitable for their replacement of commonly used oximes for the treatment of acute tabun poisoning.

Human milk is a source of glycoconjugates, sialylated forms of which enrich the newborn immature immune system and are crucial for their proper development and well-being. Here, we analyzed the expression of α2,3-/α2,6-sialylated glycotopes on skim milk glycoproteins over lactation. Milk samples were analyzed by lectin-blotting using α2,3- and α2,6- sialic acid specific Maackia amurensis (MAA) and Sambucus nigra (SNA) lectins and sialyl- and asialyl-T antigen specific Artocarpus integrifolia (Jacalin) and Arachis hypogaea (PNA) lectins. The reactivities of MAA, SNA, Jacalin and PNA with milk glycoproteins showed that they are heavily decorated with α2,3-/α2,6-linked sialic acid and sialyl-T antigen and to a lesser degree with asialyl-T antigen. Despite individual differences of particular glycoproteins, a sharp and significant decline of α2,6-sialylated glycotopes and sialyl-T antigens and a weaker but significant decrease of α2,3-sialylated glycotopes and asialyl-T antigens on milk glycoproteins during milk maturation was observed. The expression of α2,3-/α2,6-sialylated glycotopes, sialyl- and asialyl-T antigens corresponds to milk maturation but differs in relation to the analyzed glycoprotein. Sialylated milk glycoproteins are considered as a part of innate immunity provided to neonates. Further investigations are needed to understand if they may be useful in milk banking to control the biochemical quality of milk.

Atopy and asthma are complex conditions, recognised as outcomes in which both genes and environment play crucial role. Large number of disease associated loci have been identified within GWAS approach over last years and the knowledge of pathobiology of asthma and allergy has widened substantially. However still the results achieved are difficult to interpret. Most markers have no clear function on and expound small portion of heritability. The "missed heritability" could be hidden in the gene-by environment interactions. The most know environmental factor which interacts with asthma and atopy is farming. The common link between genes and environment could be epigenetics.

Nanotechnology is a multidisciplinary field evolved within past few decades and playing substantial role in environment, industry, agriculture and pharmacology. Integration of nanotechnology and biotechnology has led to the foundation of nanomedicine. It has provided novel breakthroughs in cure of various ailments and disorders, drug delivery systems, detection and diagnostics of different diseases. However, use of microbially synthesized nanoparticles in health and medicine is still limited. This article highlights the green approach of nanomaterials synthesis using microbes and current status of their applications in biomedical field.